John Blavo founded this firm in 1997. He specialises in Sports Law, Employment Law, Criminal Litigation, Mental Health Law and NHS Law.

He is a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal, a former Mental Health Commission. He also sits as a legal member of various Homicides Inquiries and lectured extensively on Human Rights Law and Mental Health Law.

He holds a Master of Laws Degree in Law and Employment Relations. He has also acted for a number of well known Sports personalities and organisations including small to medium size business.

His experience and commitment to the Law is immense, having dedicated most of his career in either defending the rights of individuals or helping to advise business or organisations.

BALBIR BAINS is the head of the Criminal Department, and qualified in 1998, although she has been involved in criminal defence work since 1995.  She joined Blavo & Co in 2002 as head of the criminal department and became partner in 2004.  She is a very experienced advocate and police station advisor who is currently a member of both the police station and court duty solicitor schemes.  Her experience in criminal defence work is extensive and varied.   She has dealt with offences ranging from driving offences and theft to very high profile cases including multi-handed murders, conspiracies to supply drugs and international frauds with alleged terrorist links.

Gillian Koshi graduated at the University of Sheffield in 1991 with a degree in Philosophy and Sociology before undertaking a Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course. She commenced her legal career working firstly with the Commission for Racial Equality, practising in the field of race discrimination and employment and now specialises in immigration and employment law.   She has over 10 years experience in immigration and asylum law.

Gillian Koshi has been with Blavo and Co Solicitors since June 2001 practising mainly in the field of immigration, nationality, asylum and human rights law.   She became head of the immigration department in August 2006 and was made partner in April 2007.    Gillian Koshi  is accredited at supervisor level stage and represents Appellants at the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal on a regular basis.

BARBARA SIMULA is a solicitor in the Criminal and Mental Health Departments with her first language being Italian. She graduated in Italian Law and did her CPE and LPC in the UK and qualified as a solicitor in 2004. Barbara is an advocate and police station advisor who is currently a member of both the police station and court duty solicitor schemes. She is also a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel and she represents clients detained under the Mental Health Act 1983.

CHAY ALEXIS graduated with degree in Business Studies and then went on to study for his Common Professional Examinations and then onto his LPC. He has been a qualified solicitor since 2002. He has various experiences, in housing law, landlord and tenant and civil litigation matters. Mr.Alexis has over 5 years experience in dealing with all types of housing matters, possession, disrepair, homelessness and mortgage repossession. He is also experienced in leasehold matters and leasehold disputes. He has extensive knowledge in civil litigation matters such as breach of contract and recovering monies owed. 

DONALD TIONG graduated from University of Buckingham with an LLB and LLM Degree.  A former barrister but later qualified as a solicitor in 2004. He began his legal career at Bullivant & Partners in their respected Housing and Mental Health Departments.  Later he joined the criminal and mental health departments at Aarons Solicitors in 2004 before joining Blavo & Co. Donald has a keen interest in all aspects of Mental Health law including Judicial Reviews, and especially enjoys the client contact and advocacy this involves.  He is motivated by a sense of justice and fairness and this is the driving force that ensures that he gives everything to achieve a positive outcome for his clients.

KEZIA DALEY read Law at Westminster University and completed her LPC at the College of Law. Kezia qualified as a solicitor in 2005 specialising in Nationality, Immigration and Asylum law, with an increasing interest in Human Rights Law. She has experience in both Mental Health and Employment law.

LESLIE KISSEIH is a solicitor in the Criminal and Mental Health Departments. He has extensive experience of Mental Health Law and has represented clients who have been subject to the Criminal Legal System as well as other admissions to hospital; representing clients before Mental Health Review Tribunals. Leslie also represents clients before the Magistrates’ Courts and at Police Stations. In addition, he has experience in Nationality and Immigration Law.

Linda Davies is an Employment Law Solicitor at the Firm. She has practiced employment law for over 10 years and has  extensive experience in advising employers and employees on a wide range of employment law issues covering disciplinary and grievances, drafting of contracts and  advise on all aspects of unfair dismissal, Tupe transfers, discrimination and  whistle blowing.

Her unique blend of experience spans the commercial, voluntary and public sectors.

Linda is a member of the Employment Law Association.

MARK FIDLER qualified in December 1992 and has worked predominantly in the field of criminal law. He has dealt with every area from drink-drive to murder. He is both a Police Station and Court Duty solicitor and is an experienced advocate in the Magistrate Court covering all aspects including trials. He is also highly experienced in the preparation of cases when they reach the Crown Court.  He has gained wide experience in fraud work involving large scale serious fraud cases. This has included cases with an international aspect involving travelling abroad to make enquiries. Prior to joining Blavo & Co, Mark held the post of Fraud Supervisor at his previous firm.

MICHELLE MWANGI is a law graduate who completed her LPC at the College of Law. She qualified as a Solicitor in 2005. She has extensive experience in Mental Health Law and has represented clients before Mental Health Tribunals. She is also a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel. Michelle is also experienced in Criminal matters and has represented clients on restricted Mental Health cases, as well as Immigration and Nationality Law.

MINAL PATEL qualified as a solicitor in November 2003 and has worked predominantly in the field of criminal law. She has dealt with all areas from Road Traffic Offences through to rape and murder. She is both a police station and court duty solicitor. She has gained wide experience by attending the magistrates court to represent clients in all aspects of their cases and is also experienced in the preparation of cases when they reach the crown court.

EMMANUEL OSAE is a solicitor in the Mental Health. Emmanuel qualified as a solicitor in 2007. He has an extensive knowledge in Mental Health Law with wide ranging experience in representing clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers and before the Mental Health Review Tribunals with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, 37, 37/41, 47/48 and 47/49 of the Mental Health Act. Emmanuel is also a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel.

MARZENA PUZNIAK is a caseworker in the Mental Health Law department. Marzena represents clients at Care Programme Approach meetings and Hospital Managers with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3 and 37 of the Mental Health Act. Marzena is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 37/41, 47/48, 47/49 on behalf of other more experienced caseworkers.

KATARZYNA (KATRINA) PODKOWIK is a solicitor with extensive experience and knowledge in Mental Health Law. Katarzyna qualified as a solicitor in April 2008. Katarzyna has extensive knowledge of the Mental Health Law and she has been representing clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, appeals before the Hospital Managers and the Mental Health Review Tribunal hearings with respect to their detention under the provisions of sections 2, 3, 37, 37/41, 47/48 and 47/49 of the Mental Health Act 1983.

In addition, during her training contract she has gained an invaluable insight into the Criminal, Housing, Conveyance and Civil Law. Katarzyna is Mental Health Review Tribunal Accredited and undertakes Judicial Review in mental health matters. She also represents clients at the Police Stations. She is a fluent Polish language speaker.

LEE-ANN FRAMPTON-ANDERSON is a solicitor in the Mental Health and Criminal Departments. Lee-Ann qualified as a solicitor in 2007. She has extensive knowledge in Mental Health Law with wide ranging experience in representing clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers and before the Mental Health Review Tribunals with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, 37, 37/41, 47/48 and 47/49 of the Mental Health Act. Lee-Ann is a member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal Panel and police station accredited.

ANNE-MARIE ELLIOTT is a caseworker in the Mental Health Law department. Anne-Marie represents clients at Care Programme Approach meetings and Hospital Managers with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3 and 37 of the Mental Health Act. Anne-Marie is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 37/41, 47/48, 47/49 on behalf of other more experienced caseworkers.

DEANALOY GRANT is a trainee solicitor at Blavo & Co. She has an extensive experience in Mental Health Law. She represents clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers and before the Mental Health Review Tribunals with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, 37, 37/41 and 47/49 of the Mental Health Act. Deanaloy is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 47/48 on behalf of other more experienced caseworkers. 

Deanaloy is a pannel member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal.

DRAKENS MUKORO is a caseworker in Mental Health Law. He has an extensive experience in representing clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers and before the Mental Health Review Tribunals with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, 37, 37/41, 47/48 and 47/49 of the Mental Health Act.

ELAINE ADDY is a trainee solicitor with an extensive knowledge and experience in Mental Health Law. She represents clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers Hearings, and Mental Health Review Tribunals, with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, and 37 of the Mental Health Act.  Elaine is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 37/41, 47/48, 47/49 on behalf of other more experienced caseworkers.

LORRAINE FRIEND is a caseworker in the Mental Health Law department. Lorraine represents clients at Care Programme Approach meetings and Hospital Managers with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3 and 37 of the Mental Health Act. Lorraine is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 37/41, 47/48, 47/49 on behalf of other more experienced caseworkers.

RICHARD QUAINYIN is a Paralegal in Mental Health Law. He has extensive experience in representing clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers and before the Mental Health Review Tribunals with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, 37 and 37/41 of the Mental Health Act. Richard is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 47/48 and 47/49 on behalf of other more experienced caseworkers.

SHARON QUAYE-KUMAH is a trainee solicitor with extensive experience and knowledge in Mental Health Law. She represents clients at Care Programme Approach meetings, Hospital Managers and before the Mental Health Review Tribunals with respect to clients detained under sections 2, 3, 37 and 37/41 of the Mental Health Act. Sharon is also able to prepare cases for those clients who are detained under sections 47/48 and 47/49 on behalf of other more experienced caseworkers.

Sharon is a pannel member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal.